Anise \An"ise\ ([a^]n"[i^]s), n. [OE. anys, F. anis, L. anisum, anethum, fr. Gr. 'a`nison, 'a`nhqon.]

1. (Bot.) An umbelliferous plant (Pimpinella anisum) growing naturally in Egypt, and cultivated in Spain, Malta, etc., for its carminative and aromatic seeds.

2. The fruit or seeds of this plant.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)